I did word it simply, but most managers bring a new backroom staff with them right?

From what we hear, United are restructuring behind the scenes aren't they?

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We’ve been hearing about this mysterious restructuring for about 3 years. It’s the same as that mythical “value in the market” bullshit we heard a few seasons ago. It’s not happening, Ed doesn’t want to give up being hands-on in the football side.

I can't help but feel happy for them, our games against them in the early-mid noughties were the best I can remember, and I loved it when they just played the same way every time latterly under Wenger even though it so clearly wasn't working.

I'll probably hate them soon, but nice to see them moving on so quickly.

I can't help but feel happy for them, our games against them in the early-mid noughties were the best I can remember, and I loved it when they just played the same way every time latterly under Wenger even though it so clearly wasn't working.

I'll probably hate them soon, but nice to see them moving on so quickly.

In the PL matchday thread feckers were practically salivating over Arsenals resurgence. I was quietly hoping Spurs -a known quantity- caned them. Another of the top 6 establishing a quantum leap in development over Utd is not what we need right now. Unless you're a footballing masochist, yesterday was very bad news.

Our big game away record is dreadful. I expect like last season we will beat them at home though.

Tha said, there's obviously an improvement at the club. They're finally getting the best out of that attacking talent.

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One of the biggest takeaways for me today was the tenacity and fight shown in order to come back from a loosing position and win it comfortably.

It might be all a bit “meh” for Spurs fans, but anyone watching that game sat up a little straighter today.

I’m not going to declare us back in business just yet because that defence scares the shizn out of me at times, albeit Leno is looking good, and a lot of other pieces seem to be clicking into place. A good xfer window next summer will hopefully help fill in the gaps..

Defense has to be this summer's plan. There was word of Tagliafico for the LB spot but i really want to see what Sven is going to conjure up for the CB position.
I was completely against Sokratis but he turned out to be pretty good and i'm glad he's here ! I don't think we will have a massive amount to invest again : probably under 90/100m. THere is also strong rumours about Cengiz Under from Roma but he would cost a lot.

Holding out for the season, Sokratis suspended, Mustafi injured and suspended.
Southampton away with Liechesteiner / Monreal / Koscielny in a back 3 is going to be scary, they all lack minutes, let's hope we can grind a win and don't lose anyone else.

He didn't even dive, he collided in the follow through and the ref decided to give a second yellow for a clean tackle. The ref also gave a penalty for a clean tackle by Herrera. The ref in our game was horrible the whole 90 minutes, kept on getting decisions wrong for both teams.

Holding out for the season, Sokratis suspended, Mustafi injured and suspended.
Southampton away with Liechesteiner / Monreal / Koscielny in a back 3 is going to be scary, they all lack minutes, let's hope we can grind a win and don't lose anyone else.

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It would be a huge mistake to play a back 3 now with so many central defenders out injured. Especially since we would have to use our back up fullbacks to do so. What exactly would happen if Liechsteiner got injured playing every week at CB? Would Bellerin have to play every game during the Christmas period? Only for him to break down and get injured as well? The solution isn't to try to keep on playing a back 3 when we don't have the personnel for it, but to go back to a back 4.

Bellerin-Koscielny-Pleguezelo/Monreal-Kolasinac for Southampton and then rotate as needed once Sokratis comes back

If Kolasinac can't play in a back 4 then he needs to be sold in January because we don't have enough defenders to play 3 at the back for the entire season. He isn't good enough for us to change our entire formation just to accommodate him.

Would any Arsenal fans get rid of Ozil & keep Ramsey instead? Ramsey has seen really up for it in the big games lately, has 3 years on Ozil, is more suited to the #8 than Ozil, is on lot lower wages than Ozil... Oh, and he complain about his back

'twas just something I thought about. Instead of keeping Ozil & use Ramsey's freed up wages to go after one player, why not keep Ramsey & use Ozil's freed up wages to go after two?

Would any Arsenal fans get rid of Ozil & keep Ramsey instead? Ramsey has seen really up for it in the big games lately, has 3 years on Ozil, is more suited to the #8 than Ozil, is on lot lower wages than Ozil... Oh, and he complain about his back

'twas just something I thought about. Instead of keeping Ozil & use Ramsey's freed up wages to go after one player, why not keep Ramsey & use Ozil's freed up wages to go after two?

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I rather get rid of both for decent amount of cash and replace them with younger players with more upside. Ozil can def leave though, one of the most overrated players in football

Would any Arsenal fans get rid of Ozil & keep Ramsey instead? Ramsey has seen really up for it in the big games lately, has 3 years on Ozil, is more suited to the #8 than Ozil, is on lot lower wages than Ozil... Oh, and he complain about his back

'twas just something I thought about. Instead of keeping Ozil & use Ramsey's freed up wages to go after one player, why not keep Ramsey & use Ozil's freed up wages to go after two?

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Would any? Well yes, the answer is that many would. I'm not 100% sure what I would myself, it's a tricky situation. Emery does not seem to favor Ramsey/see where he can fit in his system. Xhaka is, whether you like it or not, essential to our midfield being functional, while Torreira is undroppable. Then again Özil has probably had his weakest season yet so far. We do not know for sure what wages Ramsey wanted, but since we withdrew the contract offer once Emery was hired it can only mean that Gazidis and Wenger valued Ramsey more than the new regime.

If I had to choose one of them to keep, I'd probably keep Ramsey. The thing with Özil is that as a pure number 10 he removes a lot of flexibility from our lineups. He doesn't work out wide, while Ramsey can play both as a CAM, a CM and even as a defensive winger Özil on top of his game is clearly the better player, but I'm not sure that happens often enough for it to outweigh his weaknesses.. Ramsey's biggest problem is the Gerrard syndrome that English players seem to suffer from, namely that they all think adding goals to their game is the most important aspect of being a midfielder.

CBs have been our problem for years now. It's hard to find a good one and they are really expensive.

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In my mind, CB is the most important position on the team and are notoriously hard to find. You are right about good ones being expensive and the trick is to buy young and develop as you did with Holding

In my mind, CB is the most important position on the team and are notoriously hard to find. You are right about good ones being expensive and the trick is to buy young and develop as you did with Holding

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Unfortunately he's out for a long time, and who knows how he will cope when he returns. He was looking promising though which makes it that much worse to lose him.

Hopefully our other Greek Adonis gets back soon and continues in the form he finished last season in.

Sokratis has really exceeded all expectations this season and is turning out too be a great signing, but we are thin at CB - especially if Emery continues too play 3 CB's. We are relying on Mustafi (who has played to a higher standard than last season), Sokratis (our best CB), Koscielny (just returned of a potential career-ending injury), Mavraponis (young and inexperienced, and still injured) and Monreal (obviously not his preferred position).

If Sokratis goes down or even cops a ban, which is coming, then we are in struggle town.